Minimalism grew organically out of a reaction to the Western creative cultures that dominated the landscape of late 1950s America. Since then, its popularity and influence have become one of the most important components in contemporary music.
Some would argue that the early echoes of minimalistic trends could be heard in the music of composers such as Erik Satie. If you consider for a moment, his piano pieces titled Gymnopedie one, two, and three, you can perhaps hear how these simple yet expressive pieces could be viewed as minimal.
Minimalism in Classical Composition
So, what are the characteristics of minimalism? How do you distinguish it from any other genre of music? Many of the initial concepts are attributed to a man called Moondog (1916-1999).
Moondog’s given name was Louis Thomas Hardin, and he was an American-born composer and innovator. Blind following an accident at sixteen years old, Moondog became a recognized figure on the streets of New York.
He sold records, recited poetry, and composed music. Moondog acquired the name The Viking on 6th Avenue as for a period he chose to wear a horned helmet and a cloak.
Early Minimalism and Moondog’s Influence
Perhaps more importantly, what and how Moondog composed set in motion the elements of minimalism. Writing in unusual, irregular time signatures, and layering repetitive melodic fragments over an unchanging pulse marked Moondog’s style.
The likes of Steve Reich and Philip Glass, both immense figures in the world of contemporary music and minimalists, acknowledge the importance and influence Moondog had on their early compositions.
Moondog’s music drew on a multiplicity of sources, including the sounds of the city, Pow Wows, Jazz, Latin American music, and Renaissance composers.
The idea of music that is constructed over an unchanging pulse, layered with short repeating melodies that gradually evolve within a broadly tonal framework, is where we discover the heart of minimalism.
There is, of course, much more to the genre than this simplistic attempt to encapsulate an entire genre of music. It is important to mention the strength of influence on the genre of World Music, particularly music from Bali and Java.
The music of the Gamelan has inspired numerous minimalists. It’s evident in the use of ostinati, drones, and the process of slow, organic evolution throughout the work.
Minimalism’s Development in America
As we glance towards America in the 1960s and 70s, we begin to see the rising stars of the minimalist movement. Hugely influential musicians such as Terry Riley, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, La Monte Young, and John Adams to name but a handful.
(I should say that John Adams would probably not be overly happy being assigned to the minimalist camp, but suffice to say that his unique musical style embraces many characteristics of the genre).
One of my favorite works by Terry Riley is his composition titled In C from 1964. What appeals to me about this piece is its inclusivity as well as its potential to be different with each performance.
Riley sets a pulsing octave ‘C’ going at the start of the work (usually in a piano or mallet instrument), then allows performers to play through his 52 melodic fragments at their leisure.
Unlike many scores, Riley does not dictate a number of required performers nor specify particular instruments. The work is completely flexible and ends when the performers all reach the repeating fifth-third phrase. It is seen by many to be the first minimalist work.
La Monte Young’s Contribution and Drone Music
American composer La Monte Young (1935), whom Brian Eno referred to fondly as “The Daddy of Us All,” is another towering figure.
This goes some way to explaining just how important La Monte Young is—not only to minimalism but to the wider world of composition. In parallel with Terry Riley, La Monte Young did not restrict himself to music.
Instead, he immersed himself in performance arts and developed a passion for Indian music. His work pushed limits and challenged listeners’ conceptions of what music should be.
He began as a jazz saxophonist studying music later in California. After settling in New York, the 60s and 70s were immensely productive and influential decades for the composer and those who worked with him.
During this period, La Monte Young established his Theatre Of Eternal Music, an avant-garde musical group, and his drone or dream music. This musical venture defined another facet of early minimalism.
La Monte Young’s drone music was exactly that: music constructed around very slowly changing drones or tonal clusters. Dream House (1964) was an installation using sound and light. It was in collaboration with Marian Zazeela that the work was developed with La Monte Young’s music being made of sine wave drones.
Minimalism’s Growth and Influence
By this time in American musical history, the concept of minimalism had firmly landed. From these modest innovators sprung a plethora of diverse and exciting music.
Why minimalism took off because it was unashamedly daring, challenging conventions and cultural norms in favor of something vibrant, accessible, and new. It ingeniously fused classical elements with world and popular music cultures into a mesmerizing, compelling new kind of music that was irresistible.
Remember, the world was still recovering from two World Wars, and the Vietnam conflict was still raging. The music of the elite by composers such as Stockhausen, Boulez, Carter, Maxwell Davies, and Birtwistle isolated most except their devotees and ardent musicologists. Minimalism arrived purposefully and positively like a color storm on the musical ocean.
Steve Reich’s Distinct Style
Steve Reich (1936) met Terry Riley while studying at Mills College, California. He was one of Riley’s strongest advocates, working with him on many projects that made a significant contribution to his music.
Reich is considered by many to be one of the most remarkable composers of this age. His musical style is distinct. You only need to hear a few bars to know whose music it is, and one of the characteristics that stand out is the pulsing rhythms that run as constants through many pieces. Also, Reich has a gift for a memorable melody, no matter how brief.
Early works that distinguished him include Different Trains, Music for 18 Musicians, and Drumming. While remaining true to the principles of minimalism, Reich flexes the boundaries, evolving simple structures from small components.
Tonally, his scores often glitter and thrill, always within carefully calculated parameters. From his operas to his instrumental works, Reich embraces technology, blending the old with the new and never fails to intrigue audiences.
Philip Glass and Michael Nyman
Michael Nyman (CBE) (1944) is another key figure in the minimalist landscape. Alongside Philip Glass (1937), these two composers have forged unique pathways through the world of contemporary music with enormous success.
For Glass, the influences of Indian music, together with those of Mozart and Bach, form the central tenet of his works. Glass won a Fulbright scholarship and studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris, but the French cultural scene was too stifling, and by 1967 Glass settled in New York.
His substantial output includes operas, music for film, and a host of instrumental/ensemble works. Glass has become one of the most important composers of his age.
Nyman is perhaps best known as a composer for film, although his catalog spans many areas of music. He is also a musicologist, photographer, and filmmaker. Nyman has enjoyed a fruitful creative relationship with filmmaker Peter Greenaway.
His music for The Piano was a multi-platinum success. Nyman’s operas are equally well-loved, with my favorite being his adaptation of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for A Hat (1986).
Nyman’s music has evolved significantly since the 70s when he coined the term minimalism. His early works owed much to composers like La Monte Young and Terry Riley. The characteristics of the genre were apparent, together with Nyman’s ability to combine the old with the new.
Today, his music is far less easily defined. It has the grace of an 18th-century ballerina paired with the edginess of a classic rock track. Nyman’s distinct sound is muscular, bold, and insistently rhythmic.
Minimalism’s Influence in Contemporary Music and Culture
There are many other noteworthy composers, especially John Adams, whose music transcends its minimalist origins and who has carved a unique place in the world of opera.
Minimalism has become an irresistible force in contemporary music, stretching its influence through popular culture, film, installations, collaborations, and traditional musical forms.